ICAE experienced a hub of activity on Wednesday 7 March 2018, when the Certificate IV in Hospitality and Certificate III Commercial Cookery students prepared for a practical assessment activity on campus to demonstrate their culinary and hospitality skills.​The cookery students prepared all the items on the menu for a seated lunch for 20 persons. Based on the unit of competency (SITHCCC008: Prepare vegetable, fruit, egg and farinaceous dishes) they created:Ravioli, beurre noisette, sage ( V )Gnocchi, tomato sauce, chorizo, pumpkin, olives, spinach and parmesanPoached salmon, fennel, gran pea, lemon and dill risottoPorcini mushroom polenta with ratatouille ( V / GF )

The font of house students set up a simulated restaurant environment complete with a functional bar and espresso coffee service in preparation for the lunch service. Based on the unit of competency (SITHFAB014: Provide table service of food and beverage) the students took on roles and responsibilities of supervisor, food and beverage attendants, bar and barista staff.

Once the room was prepared and ready for service, the cookery students and ICAE staff arrived at the “restaurant.” The front of house students welcomed and seated the guests, and offered pre meal service of cold beverages before applying the plate carrying techniques to serve the well presented and tasty meals the cookery students had prepared. Lunch service was completed with espresso coffee service and positive comments on the feedback forms from the guests.

After the “restaurant” had been cleared and cleaned, the front of house and cookery students met in the kitchen for a debrief session and shared positive and constructive feedback on the learning experience they were able to participate in on campus at ICAE.

Living and Studying in Australia can be a big adjustment for many International students. Not only they are far from their family but also far from their friends who they speak the same language and have the same culture. Here are some tips for International Students to make friends.

1. Smile and Greet People: As an International student you should always have a positive attitude when in a foreign land. This will allow you to connect with your classmates, schoolmates or school staff. Gaining friends will be easy if you have an accommodating and happy spirit.

2. Embrace their Interests: Regardless of your origin, friendship depends on common ground and if you learn to immerse yourself with sports, music etc it will give you plenty of things to converse and connect with.

3. Join Organisations: Getting involved with clubs, either inside or outside school will help you increase your network of acquaintances and potential friends.

4. Practice the English Language: One of the reasons many International students find it difficult to make friends is the language barrier. Australia is a multicultural country, especially Darwin city. Hence, it is natural to see foreigners inside or outside the campus. Blend in! You are not alone. Speak up and practice the English language and earn tons of International friends.

5.Know the Social Calendar: Seek out social events as this is very useful for meeting new people. For example Orientation Week (which is the very first week of classes), public holidays, School events and workshops or public events like Royal Darwin Show are great places to meet people. Go out and have fun! Check these links for social events. http://northernterritory.com/darwin-and-surrounds/events/darwin-festival http://www.darwinshow.com.au/

6.Expand your Network: Many times we just hangout with our usual buddies but friends can introduce you to their friends and this can potentially grow your network. If you can, host a party and tell your friends they can bring plus one or more. If you can’t host a party you can have other activities such as study groups, or play team sports or other activities.

Introducing people to one another is a nice thing to do, especially in a foreign land. Helping others to expand their network will help them and most of the time they will reciprocate by introducing you to others as well.

Make ICAE and Darwin City your new home away from home. Friends will be your family.

ICAE has won the Small Business Award at the NT Chief Minister's Export and Industry Awards in Darwin on 21st September.

ICAE CEO Mr Sean Mahoney was in attendance to accept this Award.

This Award recognises the outstanding work that ICAE performs in providing education to International students in Darwin.

Mr Mahoney said "all of our team at ICAE have contributed to us winning this Award including our teaching faculty, our administrative staff and, of course, our management team. We are also very pleased to receive recognition for the partnerships we have with hotels, cafes, restaurants to place students into paid work whilst they gain their qualifications. ICAE students have a good reputation with local employers and enhance their careers by choosing to study with us".​ICAE will now be a finalist in the National Export Awards to be held in Canberra in December.

ICAE has partnered up with 3 separate Universities in Vietnam to enhance education opportunities for Vietnamese Hospitality students in Darwin, Australia.

ICAE Chief Executive, Mr Sean Mahoney was in Vietnam to sign these agreements and to meet prospective students.

Agreements have been signed with HUTECH University in Ho Chi Minh city, Hai Phong University in Hai Phong, and Nha Trang University in Nha Trang.

​Mr Mahoney said "these agreements are part of a long term strategic alliance with Vietnam and in particular educationally well respected Universities. We have had extensive meetings, and all parties agree that a formal and structured approach to building education pathways from Vietnam to Australia will produce almost immediate opportunities for Vietnamese students. Students will be able to get excellent advice in their own Institution in Vietnam to assist them to take advantage of obtaining a student visa to come to Australia. This will change their lives by providing good quality education in Australia, and also to get well paid part time work as part of the course."

ICAE has identified a strong demand from Vietnamese students wanting to come to Darwin to study Hospitality.

The teachers from Essington School were invited to have lunch with Cookery students from ICAE on Wednesday 23 August 2017, so that the ICAE students could have the opportunity to participate in a "real" event in order that the trainers could observe their progress and report on the outcomes of their learning.

The Certificate III Commercial Cookery students were responsible for preparing all the food items on the menu by following standard recipes from their ICAE Commercial Cookery Recipe Book.

The Certificate IV students were responsible for all the set up, service and end of event tasks that they would experience in a "real" venue. They were given checklists to complete in preparation for the event, learnt how to follow a run sheet during the event and provided friendly and professional service throughout. All the students worked together as a team to produce a successful event. The feedback from all students was that they enjoy participating in the event and hope that ICAE are going to have many more such events.

The new ICAE Kitchen was officially opened on 14 June, 2017. ICAE Cookery students under the supervision of Cookery staff prepared both the menu and the food, as well as serving it. Likewise Hospitality students and staff were responsible for the bar and ensuring that guests were well catered for.

Sean Mahoney, ICAE's CEO, gave a wonderful and rousing speech to those assembled. Unfortunately there's no prize for guessing the purpose of the two wine glasses he held during the speech! The photos below attest to the success of the event and the skill of ICAE's students.